Lewes bakery set for grand opening
The warm aroma of fresh-baked bread is coming to Nassau Road in Lewes.
Old World Breads bakery will host a grand opening Saturday, June 7.
Owner Keith Irwin is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has been a pastry chef for 25 years. Irwin purchased the bakery from former owner Steve Koegler in October and kept its name.
Irwin apprenticed at a five-star restaurant in West Virginia. He uses only natural ingredients and no preservatives in his breads.
Irwin says he built on what Koegler had, adding his own spin. Such as beer bread, made using tiller brown ale. Other breads include garlic, olive, rustic raisin and rosemary focaccia.
Irwin said the way the bakery makes bread will draw in customers.
“We mix our doughs 24-36 hours ahead of time,” he said. “We do long fermentation,” which gives the bread a better flavor.
Manager Maggie Lowman worked at the original Old World Breads bakery.
“Our bread is made with love,” she said. “We really appreciate our customers. They're like our family.”
After starting in Ellendale last year, Irwin moved the bakery to Nage Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach but soon left for a larger facility. It was this move that brought the bakery to Nassau Road. The shop uses reclaimed wood from barn fencing for the interior, including counters and display stands.
In addition to sales at the shop, Old World Breads are available at six farmers markets, including four local markets: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, and Sea Colony.
Irwin and his crew can be seen Tuesday at the Rehoboth market from noon to 4 p.m., and on Saturday in Lewes, 8 a.m. to noon. Starting June 15, the bakery will go to Bethany's market Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon, while starting June 27, the bakery will go to the Sea Colony Market on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
The shop is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It is located at 32191 Nassau Road in Lewes.
Irwin says a website should be completed soon. For more information, find the shop on Facebook or call (302)-236-3521.
